CornBelters sweep road trip with win at Florence

Posted on June 1, 2015
Chris Carmain
Chris Carmain pitched a complete game in Normal’s 4-1 win over Florence on Sunday. (Photo courtesy Normal CornBelters)

By WJBC Staff

NORMAL – The Normal CornBelters completed a sweep of their six-game road trip with a 4-1 victory over the Florence Freedom on Sunday evening at UC Health Stadium behind a complete-game seven-hitter from Chris Carmain.

The CornBelters again struck first in the opening inning when Cameron Monger led off the game with an infield single, stole second and third and scored on an infield single up the middle by Sam Judah. Pat McKenna homered to right to lead off the fourth inning to give the Belters a 2-0 lead.

Normal put up an unearned run in the sixth inning when McKenna scored on a single to right by Aaron Dudley for a 3-0 advantage.

The Belters earned insurance in the ninth when Santiago Chirino doubled home Ozney Guillen. The Freedom averted the shutout by putting their first two men aboard in their final frame and scoring on a Rob Kelly fielder’s choice, but Carmain retired the next two hitters to preserve the Belters’ first complete game of the season.

Carmain (3-0) allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out five in his complete game victory. Casey Henn (1-3) lost his third straight decision with seven innings of work but gave up six hits and three runs (two earned) with one walk and seven strikeouts.

The CornBelters return to the Corn Crib for games Tuesday through Sunday beginning with a three-game series with the Windy City ThunderBolts. First pitch on Tuesday is 6:35 p.m. with the Belters sending right-hander Kevin Johnson (0-1, 4.91 ERA) to the mound against Bolts righty Travis Tingle (0-3, 2.10).

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